Excellent game. I thought Stevenage did look to knock the ball around quite well, with the pub player lookalike (I thought players have to have a number on their shirt?) in midfield looking technically decent and the hub of their team. Their goal was great, then we rallied and a great cross from Richards' right boot found Parry, whose finish was clinical. We eased off a little, but were still comfortably on top. Porter missed a sitter in the second half, but the fact that we had quality on the bench made the difference. Morgan and Taylor combined well, with the former's flick sealing the victory thanks to an excellent save from Weale shortly after. I've seen a couple of people on B&A suggesting that Parry shouldn't have come off, but it was the right change imo. Richards played fairly well after an iffy start and got through his usual excellent amount of work, whereas Parry started brightly and was good in the first half but really poor in the second - he kept conceding possession in dangerous areas and didn't get any crosses in. Still pleased with his overall performance, and I'm glad that we've got a player of his ability back to something like his best form. I thought Eaves was very bright up front, like a slightly more built-up Morgan with a little more by way of goal threat. Still looks fairly raw, and had one decent opening after a mazy run but tried to cut inside rather than take it on his left. Porter was pretty quiet and I'm not convinced that he's anything other than a stop-gap, but he looks comfortably better than what we've had partnering Morgan this season. Oh, and D. Mac. What does he have to do to get a goal?! Did everything right - head down, composed himself, took his time and hit it hard, but their defender was in the right place. Maybe if Taylor had squared it instead of shooting himself it would've been 3, but it's difficult to blame the little man with the form he's in.
winning ugly...but winning, not the prettiest football, but who cares at this stage of the season. Weale looked commanding and I think we might have a problem holding on to him.... not much in the way of skill from either side but we are battling now and we will almost certainly stay up if we keep doing that!!
A massive three points for us in a game which could have gone either way - Marvin looked a yard quicker when he came on after his rest on the bench. Porter and Eaves need a couple more games to sharpen up but both could hold and battle for the ball. I do not think Parry can last a full ninety minutes for us but he was very good first-half. For MOM I would go for the unsung Macallister who is very consistent and unselfish and is starting to form a good partnership with the classy McGinn. I think even a point against Doncaster would be a decent result considering they have the most away wins in the division.
